Adam Hall, Community pharmacist

Sh Mustafi, Pharmacy Buyer

Posted on Mon, 12/02/2018 - 19:12

Fair point Adam but the government can’t pay for generic medication when there’s a cheaper option. They have a duty to the tax payer or do you think more expensive medication should be paid for to protect the profits of pharmacy owners.

A B, Community pharmacist

Posted on Tue, 13/02/2018 - 19:43

Branded generics are not a sustainable long term solution. It can lead to supply problems and doesn’t encourage pharmacies to shop around to get the best deal, which ultimately drives down the price to the NHS. I’m not a contractor so my views are not entirely based on my personal profits.

, Non Pharmacist Branch Manager

A B, Community pharmacist

Posted on Fri, 16/02/2018 - 17:01

That is true, and they seem to magically appear back in stock when a price concession is granted. There must be someone/some people in the supply chain that are making a fortune from these artificially made stock shortages.

However, I still don't think branded generic prescribing is the answer.

Take lidocaine patches as an example. At the moment our area prescribes as Ralvo, which is out of stock and only come through AAH. Grunenthal also make Versatis, exactly the same product and packaging yet this is available but we have to get the script change in order to supply. Same can be said about morningside making Sukkarto and a generic metformin version that are indistinguishable from each other.

Also, I know it has been argued that some pharmacies have made /are making excessive profits from the NHS but it cannot be allowed for a pharmacy to have to dispense at a loss after discount deductions as is often the case with branded generics.